By Dianne E. Butts:
Will you be finding God this weekend as you honor Memorial Day 2012? Here’s a summons to prayer, fasting and repentance for America.
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Memorial Day weekend, on Saturday May 26, 2012, in Fredericksburg, Virginia, is a real, old-fashioned summons to prayer, fasting, and repentance for America. And when we say old-fashioned, we mean really old. As in Old Testament.
TheCall is an organization creating a movement calling God’s people to humble themselves and pray for the United States. TheCall web site says ( referencing Joel 2):
“Our nation is in desperate need of the mercy of God and another great spiritual awakening, which will only come as the body of Christ gathers together in prayer.
When there is no hope for a nation, when there is no remedy, GOD HAS A HOLY PRESCRIPTION. We must drop every barrier that divides us and unite in urgent, humble fasting and prayer with the promise that God will pour out His Spirit. “
On TheCall’s web site, a page called Ancient Paths has a timeline of different events and leaders in the Old Testament when the nation of Israel was in crisis. The leaders of that day summoned the people to pray and fast and repent. Each event on the timeline is click-able for more background on the crisis, the response of the people, and the outcome of the situation. When the nation of Israel humbled itself and sought God’s forgiveness, He was merciful. When they refused to repent, God brought His judgment.
The page about the prophet Joel sounds strangely familiar to today in America:
The Crisis: “The people…were prosperous and complacent. Taking God for granted, they have turned to self-centeredness, idolatry, and sin. Joel warned that this kind of lifestyle would inevitably lead to God’s judgments. A locust plague destroyed their crops resulting in an economic collapse.”
The Response: “The Prophet Joel presented a solution to restore the people of Judah to right relationship with God. He called them to a solemn assembly of fasting, prayer, and worship. This would lead to the Lord’s returned blessing on their land and economy.”
The Outcome: “Judah did not discern God’s discipline revealed in the economic shaking. They did not heed the prophet’s warning and they missed their opportunity to receive mercy. Therefore, a greater judgment came in the form of a military invasion by the Babylonian army.”
TheCall focuses on “young people,” but I hope all ages of Christians will heed the call to repent and pray urgently for forgiveness of our personal sins and national sins. As part of the Awaken The Dawn Conference May 23-27, TheCall Virginia on Memorial Day 2012, May 26 is a summons to prayer, fasting, and repentance for America. (Promo video for the event: httv://youtu.be/KG5ld0TuMWI)
The Vision of TheCall
See this video with Lou Engle, speaking about the purpose of TheCall.
© Dianne E. Butts. Dianne is a freelance writer, author, and screenwriter. Her latest book, Deliver Me for those in an unplanned pregnancy or with one in their past, just won a “Book of the Year” award. Her next book, Grandparenting through Obstacles: Overcoming Family Challenges to Reach Your Grandchildren for Christ, is due out mid-August, 2012. www.DeliverMeBook.blogspot.com
